Pattaya moves to clean up, clear out overcrowded Lan Po Market

Pattaya plans to crack down on vendors at Naklua’s Lan Po Market in an effort to ease congestion and improve food hygiene.

Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn announced the “re-regulation” of the busy market following long-running complaints about vendors putting up stands in parking lots and on sidewalks in violation of market rules. Currently, Pattaya only collects taxes and rental fees from merchants working inside the market building.

While the outside vendors essentially are operating illegally, without permit, Wutisak admitted it would be nearly impossible for the city to forbid them from selling, as they’ve been doing it for so long. So, instead, the city plans to move as many as possible inside and set up regulated areas outside where they don’t clog paths for cars and pedestrians. Whether or not the city plans to collect fees from the outside vendors wasn’t announced.

Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn warns vendors that new regulations are coming and tells them to relocate their shops inside.

Wutisak said the current situation, which sees vendors surrounding the main building and clock tower, blocking the front entrance and motorbike parking areas in back is untenable.

Visiting the market, the deputy mayor said he warned vendors that new regulations were coming and told them to relocate their shops inside.

“Initially, shops that have moved onto the public land should move back, while shops at the clock tower will have to move to the same place,” he said. “Vendors have even placed chairs and tables on the footpaths, causing more difficulties for people. We have already informed the vendors to remove their shops within seven days.”

Grilled-meat vendor Rinna Raksarasadorn, who admitted she was guilty of putting tables and chairs on the sidewalk, said she agrees with the city’s move to clean up the market.

“If tourists face difficulties, they will not want to come here to purchase food. If regulation benefits tourists, we are more than happy to comply,” she said.